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S1AM. 285
former. About forty rowers were in each boat. A
very handsome, richly-ornamented barge, with a gilt
canopy of a conical shape, and rich curtains, in which
was the ambassador, bearing the letter from the king
of Cochin-China. Four or six boats similar to those
in front.
" In the course of a few days after his arrival at
Bankok, he was admitted to an audience of the king,
without going through those forms which had been
pointed out as necessary to be observed by the Agent
to the Governor-general. The Cochin- Chinese am-
bassador neither visited the Prince Chroma-Chit, nor
his deputy the Pra-Klang, Suri-Wong, before he had
obtained an audience of the king.
" The ambassador was carried to the palace by his
own followers in a palanquin, preceded by a number
of armed men. He got out of his vehicle at the inner
gate, and walking up to the hall of audience without
laying aside his shoes, took his seat in the place
allotted to him, taking his own interpreter along with
him."*
* M. de Chaumont, the ambassador from Louis XIV. in 1685,
made still higher terms for the mission, insisting upon keeping on
their shoes, contrary to all oriental etiquette, and also upon deli-
vering the letter into the king's own hands, instead of entrusting it
to one of the officers. The ambassador, having entered and found
the king seated, made three bows in the course of his advance ;
then began his speech, after two or three words of which, he put on
his hat, and delivered the rest sitting and covered. He then rose
to give the letter ; but it appeared to him that the king's position
was much higher than had been stipulated, or than would admit of
his delivering the letter without stretching his person in a manner
unsuitable to his dignity. He therefore formed the bold resolution
not to lift the letter higher than himself. Constantine, the mi-
nister, who was lying on his hands and feet, implored him to raise
his arm; but the ambassador was deaf; and at last the king, laughing,
stooped and took the gold box in which the letter was contained.
He then conversed for about an hour with great affability